A few thoughts about changing of gender or sex-change operation
Recently (during our tour to Tennessee) I have found out that all members of Barynya ensemble would like to change their gender at some point or already have done so. I was surprised.
You need to have a lot of money to change your gender. The sex-change operation cost way over 500$. Only wealthiest Russian balalaika players or Ukrainian dancers who do not drink can afford this tricky operation.
I never going to change my gender, I am pretty comfortable as it is and my wife is totally against it.
When are you planning to change your gender? How are you going to pay for that operation? Would't you rather buy cases of traditional Russian beverage instead of getting things that you were not born with?
Please let me know of your opinion.
Spasibo very much!
Mikhail Smirnov
Leonid Bruk at the Russian Consulate in New York City playing his new 4-string bass balalaika, January 2010.